Hba1c

[Sharron1]

Noo, Hba1c test cancelled. Nothing ava for November, only hope I can book it for December before the holidays. I also need to discuss the GP's new theory that I am not and never was actually Diabetic.

 

[Lucyr]

Noo, Hba1c test cancelled. Nothing ava for November, only hope I can book it for December before the holidays. I also need to discuss the GP's new theory that I am not and never was actually Diabetic.

If you believe you’re not diabetic then does it really matter whether it’s before or after the Christmas holidays? Hba1c is reflective of a long period of time so a couple days eating more won’t impact it, and if you’re not diabetic you won’t have prolonged high bgs that day anyway

 

[Sharron1]

If you believe you’re not diabetic then does it really matter whether it’s before or after the Christmas holidays? Hba1c is reflective of a long period of time so a couple days eating more won’t impact it, and if you’re not diabetic you won’t have prolonged high bgs that day anyway

True, but would rather have the blood test and get the entire thing over and done with pre holiday period.

As for the Diabetes diagnosis ,
it was a mess 6 years ago, the surgery wouldn't listen to me (shock horror). I will never really know, so I simply carry on as if I am.

 

[Alan44]

Noo, Hba1c test cancelled. Nothing ava for November, only hope I can book it for December before the holidays. I also need to discuss the GP's new theory that I am not and never was actually Diabetic.

@Sharron1 you ask a very interesting question.

If I'm reading your figures correctly you have had one blood test in 2018 which said "diabetic" and well into the diabetic zone, however, from then on all your results would suggest "non diabetic" (I assume without any medication)

Given that none of us really understand the ins and outs of diabetes as it can be so individual, all I can think is, you had one freaky result back in 2018 or you have managed your diabetes very well.

I hope others will make a comment or two, because I find this quite interesting.

Alan 😉

 

[Eddy Edson]

@Sharron1 you ask a very interesting question.

If I'm reading your figures correctly you have had one blood test in 2018 which said "diabetic" and well into the diabetic zone, however, from then on all your results would suggest "non diabetic" (I assume without any medication)

Given that none of us really understand the ins and outs of diabetes as it can be so individual, all I can think is, you had one freaky result back in 2018 or you have managed your diabetes very well.

I hope others will make a comment or two, because I find this quite interesting.

Alan 😉

My HbA1c record is pretty similar & I was definitely out-of-control T2D at diagnosis (I have legacy retinopathy & PAD as a result). So Sharron's situation doesn't seem freaky to me.



Losing weight and keeping it off zapped my T2D and has kept it zapped.

 

[silentsquirrel]

I think the question was whether your results had been muddled with those of someone else?

 

[JITR]

I hope others will make a comment or two, because I find this quite interesting.

Alan 😉

As @Eddy Edson's table (above) illustrates, 'mild' T2D and 'savage' T2D comprises top part of the HbA1c range (48+). The bottom half going downwards comprises prediabetes (US 39+, UK 42+) and normal (median, around 35-36).

In prediabetes glucose control and lipid (fat) control become dysregulated. Result: fatty liver and insulin resistance develop. Pancreatic secretion of insulin falls to about half its normal level just before T2D is triggered.
Seems like a good idea to get your HbA1c down the scale as far as you. Remission (<48) is good and, if you and your pancreas is up to it, normal 35-38 is even better. Luckily mine was.

Just a comment, as requested.

P.S. The majority of people who develop fatty liver are not disposed to T2D. In all cases fatty liver can be the precursor to cardiovascular events and other nasty things. Better to get rid of it by diet if you can.

 

[harbottle]

Mine goes
September 2021 83 (1000mg of Metformin),
December 2021 36 (3 stone weight loss; metformin reduced to 500mg),
March 2022 39 ('suggested' metformin should stop, told a test every year)
March 2023 36
April 2024 38 (Metformin stopped),
August 2024 37

Interestingly, before the August test, I ate normally for a few weeks while on holiday.

 

[Sharron1]

I think the question was whether your results had been muddled with those of someone else?

Exactly the case. My test was lost and a few days later reappeared and I was put on metformin (still on three, each time after an Hba1c I ask for a reduction I am told 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'). All very messy

 

[Sharron1]

@Sharron1 you ask a very interesting question.

If I'm reading your figures correctly you have had one blood test in 2018 which said "diabetic" and well into the diabetic zone, however, from then on all your results would suggest "non diabetic" (I assume without any medication)

Given that none of us really understand the ins and outs of diabetes as it can be so individual, all I can think is, you had one freaky result back in 2018 or you have managed your diabetes very well.

I hope others will make a comment or two, because I find this quite interesting.

Alan 😉

The thing is, I will never know. So I just rant every now and then. But continue as if I am diabetic. The 'freaky' result may well be someone else's sample. The clinic lost mine and then a while latet after some phone calls found it. This was a private clinic, because I didn't have any symptoms my GP said I couldn't have a blood test but gave me the name of the clinic. I originally wanted the test because both my parents were T2 . I was curious to see if I was as well and landed myself in this bl**&y mess.

Each HCP have seen over the years have been inclined to agree that I was given the wrong sample result.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The thing is, I will never know. So I just rant every now and then. But continue as if I am diabetic. The 'freaky' result may well be someone else's sample. The clinic lost mine and then a while latet after some phone calls found it. This was a private clinic, because I didn't have any symptoms my GP said I couldn't have a blood test but gave me the name of the clinic. I originally wanted the test because both my parents were T2 . I was curious to see if I was as well and landed myself in this bl**&y mess.

Each HCP have seen over the years have been inclined to agree that I was given the wrong sample result.

Having followed your story for a few years now @Sharron1 the question marks over lost and found results have always been intriguing.

I note from others whose HbA1c patterns are similar (high… rapid reduction… stable…) that theirs followed a substantial loss of weight / way of eating change.

I can’t recall (aside from the ongoing Metformin) if you also lost a lot of weight and/or significantly changed your menu between 2018 and 2019-present?

 

[Sharron1]

Hi,

Absolutely no reason why you should remember.

I lost no weight always been on the skinny side, very active etc, no changes to diet I was never a fan of carby stuff. It was only year 3 in discussion with a 5th columnist HCP who suggested I may have been sent the incorrect sample result, as nothing apart from my parents both T2 led her to think I might be Diabetic. This was the opinion of other HCPs who thought it was strange story. I went home and checked the result and saw it had a different ref no. by my name. Needless to say aI avoid that particular GP.
Unfortunately for me I was new to the workings of the NHS and didn't realise I should have requested a 2nd blood but undertaken by NHS. Heigh ho...Am much smarter now in my dealings with the surgery.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Each HCP have seen over the years have been inclined to agree that I was given the wrong sample result.

That sounds plausible. I don't suppose there's a procedure for them to remove the T2 diagnosis, which sucks. Or maybe there is? There ought to be, because errors do happen.

 

[BobbleHat]

I'm sorry you've been left with such uncertainty about your diagnosis. The psychological impact of a diagnosis - even an accurate one - is big.

I also hope that, if your result was wrong, that the person who did have an hba1c in the 70s got the correct result and diagnosis.

 

[harbottle]

That sounds plausible. I don't suppose there's a procedure for them to remove the T2 diagnosis, which sucks. Or maybe there is? There ought to be, because errors do happen.

Diabetes (Resolved) is used for misdiagnosis. No more annual checks and eye tests.

 

[Sharron1]

That sounds plausible. I don't suppose there's a procedure for them to remove the T2 diagnosis, which sucks. Or maybe there is? There ought to be, because errors do happen.

They probably can't remove it, because they won't really know if i am diabetic or not. Which is why I decided to keep to annual reviews, although ironically I am now at every 2 years for retinal screening, and still wasting NHS money taking metformin which is probably a waste of time but GP won't reduce it when I ask..

 

[Sharron1]

Diabetes (Resolved) is used for misdiagnosis. No more annual checks and eye tests.

Ahh, but they have to acknowledge 'misdiagnosis' and I can assure that ain't going to happen!!!

 

[Sharron1]

I'm sorry you've been left with such uncertainty about your diagnosis. The psychological impact of a diagnosis - even an accurate one - is big.

I also hope that, if your result was wrong, that the person who did have an hba1c in the 70s got the correct result and diagnosis.

I often wonder about that ie who received my sample result... bad luck to them